James Tedesco detail that could see Sydney Roosters make huge play for Ryan Papenhuyzen
Tedesco's future at the Roosters beyond next season is still up in the air.
Ryan Papenhuyzen's potential exit from the Melbourne Storm could be music to the ears of the Sydney Roosters and their succession planning for captain James Tedesco. The Roosters fullback is contracted until the end of next season but has not yet officially signed an extension with the club, meaning he will hit the NRL open market on November 1.
And with Papenhuyzen set to do likewise after being asked to take a pay cut from around $950,000 to $750,000 per season if he wants to stay at the Storm, it could open the door for the Roosters to make a play at one of the most exciting fullbacks in the game. The Storm have conceded that Papenhuyzen will likely test his value on the open market, and a number of Sydney clubs such as the Dragons, Bulldogs and Eels have all been mentioned as potential suitors.
But the cashed-up Roosters are arguably in the best position to sign the livewire Storm No.1, having farewelled a host of players at the end of this season including Joseph Suaalii, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. The Roosters certainly have space in their cap having made just the one signing in halfback Chad Townsend from the Cowboys, with rugby recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase also set to feature in his first full season after playing at the back-end of 2024 for the Tri Colours.
Roosters could make a play for Ryan Papenhuyzen
In many ways a move for the Sydney-born Papenhuyzen would make a lot of sense, with Tedesco's current deal running out at the end of 2025 and the skipper reportedly looking at a $1.1 million extension. The Roosters could potentially get Papenhuyzen for significantly less than Tedesco - unless the skipper decides to extend on less money - and the 26-year-old would be an investment in the future and the type of player the club can build its team around.
On the other hand, Papenhuyzen's injury record would represent a bit of a gamble and is understood to be one of the reasons why the Storm have asked him to take a pay cut. Papenhuyzen missed over 12 months of footy after fracturing his kneecap in 2022, and then broke his lower leg in just his third game back in 2023. He suffered another fracture in 2024 but didn't miss too much game time, although did need painkillers to play in the Storm's grand final defeat.
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The emergence of Sua Fa'alogo has also factored into the Storm's decision-making process and the club has reportedly told the 21-year-old he'd be free to explore his options if Papenhuyzen were to extend, despite the Melbourne young gun only recently signing his own five-year extension. Reporter Michael Chammas told Triple M radio over the weekend: "Matt Tripp, the Storm chairman, has a verbal undertaking with Sua Fa’alogo’s manager Liam Ayoub that if Ryan Papenhuyzen wants to extend his time, they will sit back down and look at his contract (about leaving). Now, that is not a clause in his contract. It’s not in writing, so it will come down to whether Melbourne keep their word, but there are clubs circling Sua Fa'alogo."
In-form James Tedesco keen to play on beyond 2025
While the Storm have a big decision to make around their fullback situation, so too do the Roosters, and Papenhuyzen could be the perfect man to take the mantle from Tedesco after next season. Complicating matters though is Tedesco's desire to play on beyond 2025 and the form of the ex-Kangaroos and NSW Origin skipper, who was runner-up in the Dally M Medal race and was named the fullback of the year.
Another factor to consider is Sam Walker's imminent two-year, $1.1 million per season extension and how that potentially affects Tedesco's own deal and the Roosters' salary cap puzzle. But Tedesco's experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable for Trent Robinson's side in the wake of the club's high-profile departures and letting go of the two-time premiership winner - who's been such a tremendous servant to the club - would certainly not be the most popular move.
